Stock Market & Financial Investment News

U.S. military grounds entire fleet of Lockheed's F-35 jets, Reuters says The U.S. military has grounded the entire fleet of Lockheed Martin (LMT) F-35 fighter jets after a fire on an Air Force F-35A jet at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, says Reuters. The jets will be grounded until inspections of the plane's engine, which is built by United Technologies' (UTX) Pratt & Whitney unit, are complete, added Reuters. Reference Link

FAA approves GWE for Sikorsky's S-92Sikorsky Aircraft announced the certification by the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, of a gross weight expansion, or GWE, for the S-92 helicopter production configuration. The GWE increases the maximum take-off gross weight from 26,500 to 27,700 pounds allowing operators to carry an additional 1,200 pounds of payload. In addition to GWE, the FAA also certified Sikorsky's S-92 helicopter integrated Traffic Collision Avoidance System, or TCAS, II. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies.

EASA approves VIP Type Certificate for Sikorsky's S-76D helicopterThe European Aviation Safety Administration, or EASA, has approved the VIP Type Certificate for the S-76D helicopter, allowing for operation of the aircraft in Europe. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies.

Sikorsky Aircraft awarded $241.7M government contractSikorsky Aircraft, a United Technologies company, was awarded a $241.7M modification to contract W58RGZ-12-C-0008 to exercise option for a quantity of 22 UH-60M aircraft to support contingency operations. FY15 other procurement funds in the amount of $241.7M were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Dec. 31, 2016. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut.

United Technologies awarded $407M government contractUnited Technologies Corp., East Hartford, Connecticut, has been awarded a $407M indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for engine component improvement program. Contractor will provide design improvement, life management/analysis, repair development and test of engines produced by Pratt & Whitney. Work will be performed at East Hartford, Connecticut, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2021. This contract involves foreign military sales. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal year 2015 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $5M are being obligated at the time of award for task order 0001. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.

Aerospace sector downgraded to Neutral from Attractive at GoldmanGoldman downgraded the Aerospace sector to Neutral based on group outperformance and increased downside risks. The firm believes Boeing (BA) and Airbus are now oversupplying the market after a decade of undersupply and replacement demand required to sustain production may prove difficult to achieve. Goldman said accelerated new aircraft replacements was partially due to fuel economics and lower fuel prices and global growth volatility could substantially change Aerospace dynamics. As part of the sector view change, Goldman downgraded Boeing to Sell from Neutral and Precision Castparts (PCP) to Natural from Buy.

Lockheed Martin to pay $62M to settle retirement plan lawsuit, WSJ saysLockheed Martin will pay $62M to settle a civil suit alleging its 401(k) plan charged unreasonable fees, reports the Wall Street Journal, citing legal filings and company statements. As part of the settlement, Lockheed will also have to submit monthly evaluations of certain aspects of its plan, offer new low-cost funds, and solicit bids from at least three large firms to serve as administrative managers of the company's retirement plans. Reference Link